This group is about helping families of love ones that have been lost in the Iraq and Afghanistan War.
It is not just for the heros that died there, but for the heros here, who whether accident or sel... more

March 7, 2013

I lost my son from post traumatic complications r/t a medication he was taking and went into allergic respirator arrest. He spent 9'years in the Marines and 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Being Ther... more

This group is about helping families of love ones that have been lost in the Iraq and Afghanistan War.
It is not just for the heros that died there, but for the heros here, who whether accident or self inflicted due to their PTSD.
We all need support and our group is some one who is willingly to listen and care.
We all suffer losses differently, but to know someone with similar experiences helps!

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Increase the funds so we could market more to reach out to everyone who needs us, but unaware of our group.

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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

Definitely

How much of an impact do you think this organization has?

Life-changing

Will you tell others about this organization?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I lost my son from post traumatic complications r/t a medication he was taking and went into allergic respirator arrest. He spent 9'years in the Marines and 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Being There Reaching Out has become like a family to me.
This is a group no one wants to share Grief with, but is glad they are there for families like mine and others to share our personal grief with for lost of loved ones from the war.
I come from a mixed family of my brother being in the Navy, my uncle in the Army, and my husband, B-I-L, and my son and nephew being in the Marines.
So, no matter what branch of service you are from, this group is there to offer support in whatever way we can.

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Was your donation impactful?

Definitely

How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?

Hello. I've been SO BLESSED to be a part of this Mission of Love!! I've lost troops in the US (CONUS - Ft Hood and to suicide) and Overseas (OCONUS). They remain in my heart and prayers as do ALL the Families of the Fallen.

Please know that the troops who have served with your loved one, grieve too. Our Fallen are our Brothers and Sisters in Arms. We loved them and we mourn with you.

Please also know, we Serve because we really, really want to! I've been blessed to have served in 3 theatres of war. I may have been scared sometimes but I was never prouder than to serve for Our Country. That is why I'm Still in after 28.5 yrs. But, I'm still not the oldest in my Unit (smile!).

May God bless you all. Thank you for your sacrifice. Freedom is not free.

With love, LTC "Marge"

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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

I have been involved with BTRO for many years. I have met the most incredible families who like their loved ones are my heros. They are just like all of us but with one thing in common. They have lost a large chunk of their hearts. I only hope I have been able to give them the opportunity to know that their loved one will never be fogotten and I will do everything I can to make sure there is someone to listen to and be there for them when they least expect it. I love these families as my own with all my heart. God Bless them all. Dorothy

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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

I don't remember when or how our family originally connected with Judith, Joe, Dorothy and Marge, and it really doesn't matter, except that they 'gently' "Reached Out" and let our entire family know they were "There" for us when our son, LCPL Rich Warner, USMC, was killed in Iraq in 2004 and continue to Be There for us these past nine years. This group,based in Wisconsin, through opportunities and activities/meetings they provide, help us to heal the aching, gaping hole in our hearts from the losses of our loved ones. They don't push an agenda or ask for membership dues; they let you know you can share, laugh, grieve, or obtain help at one's own rhythm. They care; we care. They/we all have a special connection, a bond of a loss of a fallen family member; there is unconditional love, compassion, care, and support to entire extended family members. Through this group and all the activities they provide, friendships evolve. We have opportunities to reconnect, to decompress, to share, to laugh.
We can't always be at every event, but our entire family wouldn't want to miss our annual Families of the Fallen/ Being There-Reaching Out gatherings. We've had excellent speakers, great locations geared for families, activities (baseball, golf,making hats, bracelets, tours of Lambeau, camp outings,grief sessions, etc.), meals, raffle items. We have a network of support groups, people who care, such as The Safe House in downtown Milwaukee, Kapco of Grafton, Wi; Dry Hootch in Milwaukee, WI that assists our veterans, the Patriot Riders and many more. We look forward to a Fisher House of WI being built at Clement Zablocki VA Center; the same VA center where we have our annual "Walk for the Fallen" in August.
We are so fortunate to have this group touch our lives. Our veterans of past conflicts, especially the Vietnam War, did not have the opportunities we have with Being There-Reaching Out. Like our sons, daughters, husbands,wives, brother, sister, grandchild, aunt, or uncle who "gave their all", who have made a difference in the lives and places of the less fortunate, Being There-Reaching Out also makes a difference to each and every one of us. We thank them.

This organization provides a loving safe place that helps the families of the fallen on many levels.
The lifestyles and freedom we enjoy come at a heavy price. The children, wives, parents and families of the soldiers who fell here and abroad have a group and a place where they can be with others who share similar loss. We can't bring back the fallen, but we can try to help the families heal and cope. There is much love and appreciation for the families and the founder of this organization.

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Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

It seems unbelievable that our son, Samuel, left for recruit training 11 years ago! Tragically, he died there at MCRD in San Diego, CA only 39 days later. Our oldest son, Steven was already serving active duty in the Marines. He was preparing for deployment. Sam's sudden death was an icy and shocking wake up call to the realities of "the ultimate sacrifice". We were terrified of losing both of our sons. Thankfully, Steve was relocated to a base in the States, fulfilled his commitment and returned home...
....Five years after Sam's death I learned about BT RO from another Gold Star mom from Kenosha. She got me in touch with Judith. A week or so later my husband and I were attending our first BT RO gathering in Appleton, WI. I remember seeing the Patriot Guard Riders on the sidewalk holding American flags as the families entered. I cannot put into words how solemn, respectful, meaningful, inspiring, touching and thoughtful every aspect of that weekend was. The hugs were as plentiful as my tears! We met other families grieving their loved ones and instantly felt a bond...
Judith, Joe and the Board Members and volunteers give so much time, energy and compassion to this organization! Not to mention the donors and behind the scenes people all giving for a worthy endeavor.
Thank you for the years of love and caring!

Being There Reaching Out (BT-RO) is an exceptional organization that supports the WI families of our Fallen Military Heroes. No one wants to be a part of the group, but once your loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice, you are so glad Being There Reaching Out is there to support you. I became involved after my brother, SSG Andrew Bossert was killed in Ramadi, Iraq on March 7, 2005. I was able to meet other people who could understand what I was going through and feeling. BT-RO organizes events throughout the year to gather the families together to allow them to mourn their loved one, cry, laugh or whatever the person needs. Parents, spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and beyond are supported in their grief through Being There Reaching Out. It is such a special place for the families to be to feel safe and to feel understood and be able to mourn openly and everyone is there to support. Unfortunately the group has grown due to the increasing deaths from the war or due to the war. We all share a very special bond that connects us and Being There Reaching Out has allowed that.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

There is always a need for more volunteers, especially non-family members to volunteer to help organize events so family members can have their time to be with other family members.

Well 1st let me say, this is no ordinary non profit group. This group was created for all the reasons you don't want to be part of any group whatever, and it is certainly not a group that I thought I would ever be part. This group offers more than support to families that have lost loved ones due to the conflict of War.
This group does not only offer support but it offers the one thing that is free, LOVE and Compassion and we are all for the same reason. We all lost someone due to this conflict of War. War that has been around for many many years. I love when we can all get together and bond as a family, a much bigger family than you could ever imagine. We all come from different walks of life and different areas in Wisconsin. When we are together you can not only see the love but you feel it. Every time my boys and I leave an event we talk about the people we have met the stories we have shared with each other and we go home stronger. The board members are beautiful people inside and out. The compassion they show the love the give is like no other you will receive anywhere else. I wish that I was not a member for the reasons I am, but I am proud to have met such wonderful people that I will know the rest of my life. ~ Peggy Naseman

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Not one thing, this is an awesome group and should be recognized

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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?

Life-changing

How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?

Definitely

How do you feel you were treated by this organization?

Very Well

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I am a volunteer board member of Being There Reaching Out. I came to this group through losing my son LCPL Travis Wichlacz in Iraq in 2005. I have watched this group grow from a fledgling group of a few families that had lost a loved one to war to a much larger group with a larger purpose. This group brings together the families of the fallen. Whether it be a death in theater or at home through accidents and even suicide. Families can find comfort and healing. The group reaches out to spouses, parents, grand parents and healing events accommodate children, grand children, nephews, nieces. All those touched by the loss are invited. Through the comfort and healing, families have gone on to do great things for others in the fallen ones name. The networking has been phenomenal for spurring ideas of scholarships, golf outings, walks and other functions raising money to benefit others in our community and state.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

My wish would be that no one else dies or suffers as the result of war.

More feedback...

Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

Being there reaching out briefly discribes what this organization is about, but it is so much more. It brings together families that share the terrible experince of loosing a loved one in the service of our country. I lost a son who was killed in action in Afgahnistan in 2011 and had deep feelings of guilt and depression, but with the contacts I made through this caring organization I was no longer alone and could share my feelings with other parents of lost children. Judith, who is the head of this organization pours out her soul to all of us in her effort to bring healing to us as if we were part of her family.
I have formed many lasting relations not only with other family members who have lost loved one, but I am able to reach out to so many Vets and active military because of what I have learned about living with the loss of a loved one. It is all because of this organization I have the strength to reach out to others.